Can the EU accommodate an increased political and cultural diversity after a next round of enlargement? In this contribution, Saskia Hollander (Senior Research Fellow at Clingendael) assesses the impact of EU enlargement on the EU’s capacity to uphold democracy and the rule of law and project core values within its borders.
The Schengen system is in crisis, as it has become increasingly common for member countries to introduce controls at their borders. Can the open borders system be saved? This is the topic of a webinar held on 21 November. A recording of the webinar is now available.
Recent publications in English
The Eastern and Central European countries that joined the EU in the 2000s have experienced economic growth thanks to their membership. In this European policy analysis, Mariusz Próchniak and Ryszard Rapacki, professors of Economics, examine what is required of the current candidate countries to benefit from EU membership in a similar way. (2024:24epa)
In an uncertain world, the relationship between Europe and the United States has become more important than ever. At the same time, it is in a state of change. Ahead of the US presidential election, Marianne Riddervold analyses the transatlantic link and discusses ways forward for Europe. (2024:21epa)
EU membership is transformational but also highly demanding. Visnja Vukov (University of Vienna) considers how the EU can strengthen state capacity in candidate countries so that they are ready to join and flourish as members. (2024:19epa)
For a long time, the EU has addressed but so far not prevented systematic violations of the rule of law in the member states. In this analysis, Katalin Cseres argues that EU competition law should be used more actively as part of the rule of law toolbox. (2024:23epa)
Agriculture will be a particularly difficult issue for the forthcoming enlargement of the EU. In this analysis professor emeritus Alan Matthews draws lessons from previous enlargements and considers possible options for the EU. (2024:20epa)
In the wake of Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, EU enlargement acquired a renewed impetus: the security of both aspiring and existing members. Barbara Lippert explores how this put foreign and security policy at the heart of the accession process. (2024:18epa)
A new SIEPS forum where experts from research, policy and think tanks present their thoughts on EU reform and enlargement in short texts.
September 2024 • Anghel Veronica
Activating its enlargement process is not optional for the European Union. In this post, Professor Veronica Anghel argues that enlargement, particularly to wartime Ukraine, is a matter of institutional survival, a major push to enact reforms the EU needs, and a strategy for the EU to respond to the growing competitiveness gap between the organisation and global economic powers. (20 September)
May 2024 • Schwarzer Daniela
Enlargement policy has been re-discovered as the most powerful tool to stabilize the EU’s neighbourhood. Professor Daniela Schwarzer argues that enlargement will only be successful if the EU becomes more flexible in integrating new members and in its functioning, while enhancing legitimacy and protecting its basic principles more forcefully. (15 May)
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